'Pirates Of The Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge' Finally Kills Off Popular Franchise

Having stumbled his way through four previous instalments of this popular pirate franchise, Johnny Depp‘s attempt to resurrect the character that made him a global superstar – as well as reignite his own floundering career – feel like a desperate last hurrah.

You might also like: Movie Sequels That Are Better Than The Originals

Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites) is desperate to lift the curse on his father (Orlando Bloom), whom we previously saw onboard The Flying Dutchman. Vowing to sail the seas in search of the Trident of Poseidon (an artefact that can break all curses), Henry teams up with Carina (Kaya Scodelario) an amateur astronomer who holds the key to a map that leads the way to the trident.

Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), meanwhile, has problems of his own. His crew has abandoned him, his beloved ship the Black Pearl is still stuck in a miniature bottle and to top it all, a Spanish ghost captain (Javier Bardem) is intent on killing one of the last pirates that has escaped him.

As well as a host of familiar faces on board for the ride, we also have a trio of likeable newcomers. Thwaites (Son of a Gun) and Scodelario (The Maze Runner) easily step into the roles vacated by Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom from the original trilogy of movies.

The youngsters are left to do the majority of the running about and romance, which is something of a good thing as Johnny Depp looks like he is about to collapse in every scene. The actor looks a shadow of his former self and even under the masses of make-up this role allows him to hide behind, he looks worn out.

The fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series felt like an anomaly. It raised more questions than it answered and left loose ends still hanging. To its credit, Salazar’s Revenge (or Dead Men Tell No Tales as it is known in America) feels closer to the story. It’s self-contained, which if taken on its own merits is not bad at all. If, however, you think back to the other films in the franchise, you do begin to struggle following the narrative thread from one sequel from the other.

The Curse of the Black Pearl (the first film) remains the highlight thanks to its lean set-up and fresh approach. The follow-ups feel bloated in comparison, and one major flaw is the consistent use of spooky sailors as rivals for Sparrow. Just which one was Blackbeard and which one was Davy Jones?

Javier Bardem meanders through the film, mumbling something or other about wanting revenge on Jack Sparrow for some perceived slight from decades before. There is more fun to be had with Henry and Carina, the latter of whom in particular is a fun, feisty and fresh addition to the series.

Adding to the sense of resolution is the arc given to Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). Depp gets to spar with his old partner once more, but apart from that he merely ghosts through the film in cruise control.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge is a decent summer blockbuster that will gain even more credence in the future if it remains the final instalment of the series. Please Johnny, leave it well alone now.

Rating: ***

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge is released in the UK on May 25.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.